WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2023 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

House Bill 2582

By Delegates Longanacre, and Brooks

[Introduced January 16, 2023; Referred to the Committee on Workforce Development then Finance]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §9-3-7, relating to limiting the amount of money provided to individuals who do not attempt to obtain an education or seek employment or open a business within two years of first receiving benefits; listing exceptions.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

Article 3. Application for and granting of assistance.

§9-3-7. Limitations on assistance to applicants who do not enroll in classes or obtain employment; exceptions.

(a) There shall be a limit of any 24 months out of a five-year period for assistance available to those adults receiving assistance who are capable of enrolling in a trade school or college program, are capable of working or starting a business who do not begin an educational program or obtain employment.

(b) Exceptions:

(1) This shall be increased to any 36 months out of a five year period in the event of the death of a spouse or minor child;

(3) In the event of an illness endured by the applicant that made attendance in an education program or working impossible for any significant portion of this time, as established by a medical professional and, if applicable, school enrollment schedules, this shall be increased for up to 36 months out of a five year period or until the completion of an educational program, not to exceed 48 months out of a five-year period;

(4) This shall be increased for up to 36 months out of a five year period if the applicant is the primary caregiver for a family member with a life-threatening illness, as established by a medical professional providing the treatment for the family member and, if applicable, school enrollment schedules.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to reduce the amount of money provided in welfare programs for individuals who can otherwise work or obtain an education.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.